The officiating crew explained its controversial decision to not penalize Jadeveon Clowney for his helmet-to-helmet hit that knocked Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz out of Sunday’s NFC wild-card game between Philadelphia and Seattle.

Wentz “was a runner and he did not give himself up,” NFL referee Shawn Smith told a pool reporter after the Seahawks won, 17-9. “We saw incidental helmet contact, and in our judgment, we didn’t rule that to be a foul.”

The oft-injured quarterback was falling to the ground as Clowney dove toward the his back, leading to their helmets colliding in the first quarter.

Wentz, who was later treated for a head injury, stayed in the game for five more plays before exiting his first playoff start. He was replaced by Josh McCown and did not return.